My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children

cake is so pretty,

a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut

the side. “Today is Miss

that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a

must sing the ‘Happy

must close her eyes and make

must blow out the

head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to

children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

it in your heart and

wasn’t

and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to

you!” their

their paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene was

the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time

so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to

Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never

topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure

she turned and headed toward the

her apartment and about

was propped open by a large hand

head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

he out on

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

see you’ve been getting

took two steps back. Why

as he pulled

suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

her, forcing her back inch

idea what she

of her arm and pulled, she staggered after